Reflect on the following questions and answer them in some detail.
1. Which of the possible venues do you think would best suit this play? Why do you believe the dramatic action would be best served in this venue?
- For this play, I personally think that either a proscenium or thrust set up would work well for this play. Because of the placement of the characters and how Peck and Lil' Bit are set to be facing forward when in the car, it would be easiest to have the audience just in front so that everyone could see. The thrust would be better however, so that the audience could be closer to the actors. It would also benefit the certain scenes that need background images such as the scene where Peck is having a photoshoot with Lil' Bit and Playboy models are supposed to be shown.
2. What are some of the design challenges posed by the play?
- It would be difficult to see this play performed on a stage with the audience all around as the characters are supposed to be facing forward. Another issue that arises is the changes as the play skips through time. It would be confusing to the audience if the characters did not change with the scenes (for example in a scene where Lil' Bit is younger but the actor looks the same as a 17 year old). Also, the amount of props used could become an issue. The pictures that are supposed to be portrayed, the usage of a car, and some others could be hard to transition and would seem awkward. confusing if not done correctly.
3. Choose the various chorus characters and discuss how you see them dressed. In what ways do you think the costumes you describe would help articulate their purpose in this play?
- Mother - She should be dressed in regular clothing for the time the play is set in. Maybe brighter colors (but still clothing that fits her status) since she does not fit exactly into the norms of how women are and behave in the '60s.
- Aunt Mary - Slightly in the new styles but maybe a bit more reserved than her sister. She could wear pastel colors maybe to represent the mixture of old times and new.
- Grandmother - Always dressed up in order to appear "still beautiful" for the grandfather. She should be wearing an older styled dress at all times, maybe with dull colors. Because she represents the misogynistic way that women are seen by men, she would need to appear only in existence for her husband.
- Grandfather (Big Papa) - He represents a very sexist and sloppy version of men which is older in this play. He should also be wearing older styled clothes but not dressy, maybe jeans and a button down shirt that are also colored slightly dull. This would show that he still lives in the old ways but does not feel the need to "put out" for anyone.
- Teenage Chorus - Very innocently dressed and younger appearing
- Female and Male Chorus - Simply dressed and able to appear young and new without much change in clothes
4. Provide some ideas about the use of light in the play?
- Lighting should be mostly dim and slightly secretive throughout the most important scenes such as those where Peck and Lil' Bit are together. It could be lighter in other scenes though not warm, maybe more of a rigid blue tint to show that she is almost always uncomfortable (such as in the dressing room or with her family). When Lil' Bit does her monologues, the light should only be a spotlight on her so as not to take any attention away.
5. Suggest music and sound effects that could help accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play.
- There are many song suggestions throughout the play that should be used in those moments. Songs relevant to the time and mood should be used (so more predatory sexual songs when Peck is trying to make moves). Other sounds that could be used could be for example very quiet water running when she is in the shower scene with the other girls in the dressing room or the sound of an old car cranking or quietly have an engine rattling in the background when she and Peck are riding.
Reflect on the following questions and answer them in some detail.
1. Which of the possible venues do you think would best suit this play? Why do you believe the dramatic action would be best served in this venue?
- For this play, I personally think that either a proscenium or thrust set up would work well for this play. Because of the placement of the characters and how Peck and Lil' Bit are set to be facing forward when in the car, it would be easiest to have the audience just in front so that everyone could see. The thrust would be better however, so that the audience could be closer to the actors. It would also benefit the certain scenes that need background images such as the scene where Peck is having a photoshoot with Lil' Bit and Playboy models are supposed to be shown.
2. What are some of the design challenges posed by the play?
- It would be difficult to see this play performed on a stage with the audience all around as the characters are supposed to be facing forward. Another issue that arises is the changes as the play skips through time. It would be confusing to the audience if the characters did not change with the scenes (for example in a scene where Lil' Bit is younger but the actor looks the same as a 17 year old). Also, the amount of props used could become an issue. The pictures that are supposed to be portrayed, the usage of a car, and some others could be hard to transition and would seem awkward. confusing if not done correctly.
3. Choose the various chorus characters and discuss how you see them dressed. In what ways do you think the costumes you describe would help articulate their purpose in this play?
- Mother - She should be dressed in regular clothing for the time the play is set in. Maybe brighter colors (but still clothing that fits her status) since she does not fit exactly into the norms of how women are and behave in the '60s.
- Aunt Mary - Slightly in the new styles but maybe a bit more reserved than her sister. She could wear pastel colors maybe to represent the mixture of old times and new.
- Grandmother - Always dressed up in order to appear "still beautiful" for the grandfather. She should be wearing an older styled dress at all times, maybe with dull colors. Because she represents the misogynistic way that women are seen by men, she would need to appear only in existence for her husband.
- Grandfather (Big Papa) - He represents a very sexist and sloppy version of men which is older in this play. He should also be wearing older styled clothes but not dressy, maybe jeans and a button down shirt that are also colored slightly dull. This would show that he still lives in the old ways but does not feel the need to "put out" for anyone.
- Teenage Chorus - Very innocently dressed and younger appearing
- Female and Male Chorus - Simply dressed and able to appear young and new without much change in clothes
4. Provide some ideas about the use of light in the play?
- Lighting should be mostly dim and slightly secretive throughout the most important scenes such as those where Peck and Lil' Bit are together. It could be lighter in other scenes though not warm, maybe more of a rigid blue tint to show that she is almost always uncomfortable (such as in the dressing room or with her family). When Lil' Bit does her monologues, the light should only be a spotlight on her so as not to take any attention away.
5. Suggest music and sound effects that could help accentuate the mood or atmosphere of the play.
- There are many song suggestions throughout the play that should be used in those moments. Songs relevant to the time and mood should be used (so more predatory sexual songs when Peck is trying to make moves). Other sounds that could be used could be for example very quiet water running when she is in the shower scene with the other girls in the dressing room or the sound of an old car cranking or quietly have an engine rattling in the background when she and Peck are riding.